Armed homeowner, deaf dog foil robbery

The robber had a knife but dropped it when he saw that the homeowner had a gun and cooperated

KGW.com

SALEM, Ore. — A Salem homeowner pulled a gun on an intruder Saturday morning and held him until officers arrived, police said.

Just after 6 a.m., Dan Strasser awoke to find an intruder in his home trying to make off with a laptop, so he yelled at his girlfriend to bring him his gun. The suspect, later identified as 25-year-old Thomas Lowell, then ran into the garage where Strasser cornered him. Lowell then pulled out a knife and threatened Strasser but dropped it once he saw the gun, police said.

"This sounds weird. I was thankful to have a gun because what that did is make sure nobody got hurt. I don’t know what he would do. I’m a fairly old guy so he could have thought I can get through you, but he decided not to do that when I had a weapon,” he said.

Strasser's deaf 3-year-old Springer Spaniel "Bonnie" then sat on Lowell until police arrived. Police said Lowell thought the dog was a police dog and was too scared to move.